That rag they call the Herald - Roy Keane

**Xlex** · 28/08/2003, 12:51 PM

In his article titled Keane posed for one more Euro fling? the idiot that is Paul Hyland, who suffers from cronic malnutrition, posed an interesting idea in his recent column. He played with the idea of accepting a phone call from Roy Keane requesting to be included in the European Championship Finals in Portugal should Ireland qualify.

I didn't read on but is this the sort of rubbish a reporter has to come up with to fill his column in this rag...

Can anyone flesh out what I read in the first paragraph?

Silvo?

**colster** · 28/08/2003, 1:22 PM

Hyland is a brutal reporter. You would think it was the silly season and they had to come up with some article.
It's LCD reporting at it's worst.
Anytime Keane has a great game they'll be talking about him coming back and if he has a bad game they'll say he made the right decision to go.
Anytime Ireland play badly they' ll say we needed Keane.
This kind of speculation is never going to lead to Keane coming back.
It's just going to breed hostility to him among the players that are there playing for Ireland.

You would think Hyland had nothing else to write about. You know the FAI is all sweetnes and light at the moment and there is no other football stories to be writing about.

**pete** · 28/08/2003, 1:40 PM

Saw the article but declined to read it. Says a lot about the Herald they had a banner for it on the first page.

Brian Kerr has won 6 & drawn 1 of his first 7 games which is a spectacular record for any start in senior international management yet idot journalist with clearly nothing else to write have to keep dragging Roy Keane back into things.

If the team is good enough to get to Portugal without Roy Keane surely they are good enough to play there without him?

**Macy** · 28/08/2003, 1:55 PM

Originally posted by Conor74
Like him or hate him (and let's not get into that one again folks), he's gone, finished, it's over, and it's time to move on.

I actually agree with Conor..... That kinda of article is real clutching a straws on a slow news day "story"...

**soccerc** · 28/08/2003, 1:58 PM

Originally posted by Silvio Dante
i'm no fan of Hyland after his headline deliberately mis-quoting Roy the day after the Saipan meeting. The anti-English stuff that everyone who was present at the meeting accepts Roy never said.

Can you tell me what the misquotes were?

I ask this for a simple reason, you state quite clearly that Keane was deliberately mis-quoted. FYI, I had the quotes relayed to me first hand from someone who was at that meeting in Saipan. No one has ever challenged me on them.

**Dodge** · 28/08/2003, 2:02 PM

Originally posted by colster
It's LCD reporting at it's worst.

The whole newspaper is like that. I ****ing hate the Herald more than anything in this world. Did anyone see "Bowling for Columbine" and how the media creates fear... The Herald is in the worst in the world for this and because there's no other Dublin 'paper it has free reign to say what it likes and the thick gullible fools who read it believe everything they read...

**soccerc** · 28/08/2003, 2:13 PM

Originally posted by Silvio Dante

The real qeustion to be asked s who mis-quoted Roy in the first place to Hyland and what were their motives?

Now Silvo here are the quotes - "Who the f*** do you think you are having meetings about me? You were a crap player and you are crap manager. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country and you're not even Irish you English c***. You can stick it up your b*******."

So your's are not actually correct.

The second point I have to make is that Hyland NEVER used those quotes in his copy. The Herald did use them as did many other publiciations but I can guarantee that the person you claim to have first used them is incorrect.

**gspain** · 28/08/2003, 2:50 PM

The medical thing is just the excuse - if it was true then he wouldn't have gone on the NIKE tour. Keane was out of this world last saturday - he is still a class player on the field.

I always have fond memories of some fantastic performances in green but can't forgive what he did with McCarthy (yes wrong on both sides) and Kerr in particular.

Still welcome him back but this is not going to happen.

**soccerc** · 28/08/2003, 3:14 PM

Originally posted by Silvio Dante
Also I'd tend to believe Quinn, Byrne and Cunningham over your "anonymous insider" with respect....

Curious term that "anonymous insider".

However, as I ran the Roy Keane/Saipan story two hours before it hit the newswires and was slated and laughed at maybe my "anonymous insider" was right. I trusted him when he called me from the Hotel and he relayed the events and yes, he shall remain "anonymous".

**pete** · 28/08/2003, 4:47 PM

*yawn*

**tiktok** · 28/08/2003, 8:51 PM

I admit that i'm a big fan of Roy Keane and came down on his side in Saipan, in big part due to my own disgust at the way the FAI run things, especially the LOI.
But this 'article' in the Herald smacks of laziness and desperation to sell a few extra copies on the part of both Hyland and the sports editor. When you use fiction...

Originally posted by Xlex
He played with the idea of accepting a phone call from Roy Keane...

to sell newspapers

Originally posted by gspain
The medical thing is just the excuse - if it was true then he wouldn't have gone on the NIKE tour.

To be fair, the Nike tour might have been a marketing drive by Manchester United PLC to break the american market, but it did come after the team were back in, and formed a vital role in preseason training.

I would have loved if Keane had returned after McCarthy left, he's still the best midfielder we have, but i take what he says about extending his club career after the hip operation as true. It's time to move on, i agree with Pete, let the players who get us there formk the panel that represents us (once they maintain their form

)

**John83** · 29/08/2003, 10:30 AM

Oh give it a rest. Until his summer break this year, Keane was looking finished. He's now 32 or something. Maybe he'd come back, but probably not, and I don't care. Just support the guys who actually play for us.

**colster** · 29/08/2003, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by John83
Oh give it a rest. Until his summer break this year, Keane was looking finished. He's now 32 or something. Maybe he'd come back, but probably not, and I don't care. Just support the guys who actually play for us.

I was listening to Johnny Giles on Newstalk lastnight and he came up with an interesting take on Keane's retirement from Int. Football.
Basically he said that Keane may have over done it in getting fit after the operation and was burned out when he eventually returned to the Utd team.
As he was burned out his performances suffered and he started to doubt his ability to return to the form he had the previous season.
So when Brian Kerr asked him to return to play for Ireland he probably felt that he wouldn't be up to his usual standard and do the Irish or Utd team any justice.
Giles said that this sort of thing happened to him. He said he eventually returned to form when he was dropped and had a rest.
Giles said that this season he has not seen any sign of physical weakness in Keane and that he is looking as good as ever perhaps due to the rest he had during the close season.

This is all conjecture I know but it is an interesting thought or take on the subject.
If the above were the case the possibility of Keane changing his mind may not be too far fetched.

**Macy** · 29/08/2003, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by gspain
The medical thing is just the excuse - if it was true then he wouldn't have gone on the NIKE tour.

Surely pre-season games are part of the whole pre-season training.... Doesn't really matter which country their in, and they're not extra games.... No different from United playing Barnsley, Port Vale, Crewe and Altrincham.....
No one was saying it was an excuse when he was playing below his normal standard at times last season....

Don't know why we have to talk about this again though - sh!t story by a sh!t journalist who should stick it up his boll0x....

**John83** · 29/08/2003, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by colster
I was listening to Johnny Giles on Newstalk lastnight and he came up with an interesting take on Keane's retirement from Int. Football.
Basically he said that Keane may have over done it in getting fit after the operation and was burned out when he eventually returned to the Utd team.
...
If the above were the case the possibility of Keane changing his mind may not be too far fetched.

Giles has suggested that before - he was saying it last year when a lot of people were writing off Keane altogether. It sounds quite plausable.

About him reconsidering, I don't think he will - he's burned too many bridges.

**Bluebeard** · 29/08/2003, 1:25 PM

An anonymous insider tells me that in thirty years' time we'll hear a suggestion in the Medaeval Herald (it's like depleted uranium, it has a half life of 4000 years, so no luck for anyone still living in Dublin) that Roy, then about 62 or 63, might finally make his come back.

There will be talk for a month or two about how he'll fit back in, whether it might be better for him to play defensive midfield, or how we could actually best fit him as centre back. We will hear how he is still Ireland's greatest player, and that now, more than ever, he might possibly be convinced that to link up with the national team once more. After the success of his hip replacement operation at Cobh University Hospital, it is said that he is fitter than he has been for years, and that he has been seen dancing on Mick Mac's grave with more than usual agility. This has prompted hopes all around the country and re-ignited the raging discussions of will he, won't he, should we shouldn't we, that many had thought had ended over eight years before.

Tommy Bird, Charlie's son, not Tony's, with Tommy Gorman will interview him specially for RTE in his home of Spike Island, which he bought in 2010. Roy will be cordial and show Cathal around the island dragging the now legless body of that poor overwalked dog behind him, as he did everywhere in 2002. Roy will still have a handsome sneer on his face, his remaining strands of grey hair still given a number one blade from time to time. As he stands on the shore of the island, he still looks every part the midfield general, roaring at the local water traffic. "F**k off, ye mainland c***s ye, who the f**k do ye think ye are sailing by my f*****g island", he roars. "Ye can shove yer outboard motors up your b****x". Cathal looks nervous, especially seeing as Roy has editorial control of the piece.

Cathal and the cameraman go into his living room, where we see much of his memorabilia; the United Jersey he didn't get to wear to win the European Cup; Uriah Referee's worn out red and yellow cards; a lump of Ibrox subject of a famous court case, initially thrown at him, then thrown back when he managed a certain Scottish team; Alf Inge's shin-bone; the list of fmaous artifacts here is something that they would kill for in the Supermacs Presents CollinsBarraxWorld themepark.

They settle down the interview, and all is going well, Roy admitting to being a big fan of Telly Bingo and The Lyrics Board. But then Cathal takes that one step to far, that his mother had taken all those years ago. "Roy", he says "would you ever think you will reconsider that hasty decision you made all those years ago? You have had some time to think about it"
"Well, ye know, I don't think that it would be a good idea, I made my decision, and I'll stick with it".
"But surely, Roy, your heart still must be with the country. You must know that all the people in the country are talking about you decision"
"It was a lonmg time ago now, Tommy."
But your fitness is better than it has been. You are looking spry, you have your old aggression, your old hunger, back. Surely, you must have been doing this with something in mind."
"Well, yeah, I'm actually glad you noticed that my aggression was back, my hunger, as I am looking to announce that I plan to launch my career in professional club Ballroom dancing. I've signed with the Longford Slashers' GAA team, who are looking to make a big impression in the European premier division of the formation section. It will be a challenge that I have yearned for since the age of eight. My great pity was that the Manchester United Ballroom Dancing team never really saw it's potential. That and Lord Duke Alex wouldn't risk my fitness with them - he worried about my hip"
"But Roy, the football?"
"I made that decision a long time ago"
"But Roy", said Tommy, with tears streaming down his cheeks, "what about the fans Roy, what about Kylie from Castleknock, fans who have waited their life, and most of their parents to see you play for your country? What about the children, who's constitutional right it is now to hear George commentate poorly on international football, they need you now for this meaningless friendly against Andorra later this month. Surely you cannot dissappoint them?"
"I quite years ago Tommy"
"But Roy, think of the children, what abbout the children"
"Listen you Jackeen pansy boy f****r, if I want to play beside my grandson on a football field, I'll do so in my own back yard! Who the f**k are you interviewing me? You're a c**p interviewer and your parents were c**p interviewers too."
"But Roy..."
Go on now, go on you l****r, get off my island. Get off my island now or I'll set the TV license payers on you."

Bring Paul McGrath and Tony Galvin back too, I say

**gspain** · 29/08/2003, 1:50 PM

[i]
To be fair, the Nike tour might have been a marketing drive by Manchester United PLC to break the american market, but it did come after the team were back in, and formed a vital role in preseason training.

[/B]

Exactly what it was.

However these tours are a nusicance and cause problems - same issue with Real Madrid in Asia.

Now if Roy Keane is pciking his games then surely he should have stayed at home and done a proper pre-season.

Now I may be hard because I realise Taggart put Keane under a lot of pressure to retire and he does likewise with Giggs for Wales etc. Still it does grate.

Giles may well be right. He is one of the bost pundits around and has a great insight.

Still can't see Keane coming back eventhough he looks really fit and in top form. Massive loss as nobody comes close.

**Macy** · 29/08/2003, 2:20 PM

Originally posted by gspain
However these tours are a nusicance and cause problems - same issue with Real Madrid in Asia.

Now if Roy Keane is pciking his games then surely he should have stayed at home and done a proper pre-season.

Now I may be hard because I realise Taggart put Keane under a lot of pressure to retire and he does likewise with Giggs for Wales etc. Still it does grate.

This is beginning to feel like a General football thread, but everyone at United that I've heard says it was great pre-season trip.... Relaxed off the pitch, good facilities for training and decent opposition.... However how much of that was the lack of Beckham, I don't know - and ditto the globe trotters problems in Asia.....
Wasn't it Fergie that helped persuade Keane to stay when the problems first came up in Saipan?

**Macy** · 29/08/2003, 3:38 PM

Originally posted by Conor74
Macy, I accept you like Man Yoo, I know you have Mancunian ties, I accept you didn't join up since 1993, I accept you are a genuine football fan...

...but don't even THINK of claiming that Fergie tried to get one of his players stuck in more internationals!!!

Not actually what I said, but answer the question?